Ditcher, Rachel

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 April 2016 2 November 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Children are happy and well settled in their surroundings. They form strong attachments with the childminder. Children show that they feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder has a very calm and caring approach and knows the children well.  The quality of teaching is good. Children are making good progress in their learning. There is a strong focus on developing learning through exciting and meaningful activities that reflect children's interests and the time of year.  The childminder is a good role model. She has clear expectations of children's behaviour and gives age-appropriate guidance and support when needed. Children learn to behave well and display good manners.  Parents express high levels of satisfaction with the quality of their children's care. The childminder provides them with frequent information concerning the activities that children have enjoyed and about their progress. This helps to promote continuity of

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This provision is good

care and in learning experiences.  The childminder regularly reviews her practice. She includes children and parents and uses feedback to develop targeted action plans that help her to continually develop her service.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder sometimes misses opportunities to fully extend children's learning and skills, particularly during planned activities.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 focus more precisely on ways to extend and challenge children's learning even further during planned activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and the planning documentation. He checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder. The inspector sampled some of the childminder's policies and procedures.  The inspector asked the childminder questions about her practice at appropriate times throughout the inspection. The inspector looked at the childminder's self-evaluation form and discussed her improvement plan.  The inspector spoke to children and took account of the written feedback from parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The childminder has a thorough understanding of current child protection issues. The childminder has developed good relationships with parents. She shares information and policies with parents so they have a good understanding of the service she provides. The childminder shares good practice with other childminders. She attends some training and carries out independent research to improve her knowledge and teaching skills. Consequently, children enjoy high-quality learning experiences that support their good progress. The childminder seeks the views of parents and children. Following her evaluation of the provision, she has developed a safer outdoor area which provides even more learning opportunities for children. Children access a wide range of resources independently.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder has good teaching skills that are strengthened by her qualifications, experience and awareness of child development. She knows individual children well and motivates them skilfully. The childminder follows children's interests and has a clear focus on engaging children through the activities they like best. When children express interest in a particular activity the childminder is responsive. For example, she works alongside children as they chalk on boards outdoors or paint the walls with water. They talk about number, colour, shape, size and texture, building the skills which support their learning further. The childminder is skilled in making links to learning while children play. For example, in an activity playing with water she provides lots of opportunities for children to explore and investigate. Children say wow as the water changes colour and bubbles. Children begin to talk and use sentences in a more prolonged way. She encourages

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

children's curiosity. The childminder asks lots of open-ended questions and patiently gives children time to find the answers out for themselves.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children show, through their good behaviour, that they feel very safe, secure and settled. The childminder plans opportunities for children to become increasingly independent. This strongly supports children's confidence when faced with new challenges. The childminder visits interesting places with the children, such as farms and the park. They have time outside every day, enjoying the fresh air and opportunities for physical exercise. The youngest children are supported as they take their first steps and happily play alongside other children splashing in the water tray, or throwing and kicking balls. Children receive lots of praise from the childminder, which motivates them to have a positive attitude to learning. Snacks, such as breadsticks and fruit, are healthy and balanced. Children are developing an understanding of healthy lifestyles.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop positive attitudes. They are inquisitive learners. They show curiosity and remain involved in activities for long periods of time. Children make good progress in all areas of their learning. They develop the skills they require in readiness for the next stage of their learning and for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY320565 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 862375 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 2 November 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2006. The childminding provision operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Telephone number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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